Particle collector for cleaning gases

ABSTRACT

A conically-sump-bottomed, vertical, cylindrical vessel is horizontally partitioned by a header plate loosely pendently supporting an array of tubes into an upper gas inlet chamber with a radial gas inlet and, above a sump water level, a lower gas flow chamber wherein a mist abating perforated end of a vertical cylindrical outlet duct is eccentrically located remotely from the inlet. The array of tubes with upper ends projecting loosely through and slightly above the plate directs gas from the inlet chamber against the water surface in the sump. Water, nozzlesprayed into the incoming gas both wets the tube inner surface and collects on the plate to seep between the plate and (a) tube ends, (b) duct, and (c) vessel wall to wet the outer tube surfaces, duct and wall, and carries material, picked up by spray droplets and by the wide area films on the tubes, duct and wall, down into the sump for bottom withdrawal. Particles and droplets are further captured by the gas flow impinging on the sump water surface, and in flowing turbulently up from the water surface and around the externally wetted tubes and through the perforated outlet.

I United States Paten Belt [ Oct. 23, 1973 PARTICLE COLLECTOR FORCLEANING GASES [75] Inventor: Verland W. Belt, Richmond, Va.

[73] Assignee: Josam Developments, Inc., Michigan City, Ind.

[22] Filed: June 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 261,715

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 98,623, Dec.16, 1970,

abandoned.

55/239, 55/240, 55/257, 261/79 A [51] 1111. C1. 1501(147/02 5s mggqs55/93-95, 225, 227,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,940,l97 l2/l933 Wagner55/239 3,524,63l 8/1970 Mare 55/223 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,188,524 4/1970 Great Britain 55/94 Primary ExaminerBernard NozickAtt0rneyP. D. Golrick 57 ABSTRACT A conically-sump-bottomed, vertical,cylindrical vessel is horizontally partitioned by a header plate looselypendently supporting an array of tubes into an upper gas inlet chamberwith a radial gas inlet and, above a sump water level, a lower gas flowchamber wherein a mist abating perforated end of a vertical cylindricaloutlet duct is eccentrically located remotely from the inlet. The arrayof tubes with upper ends projecting loosely through and slightly abovethe plate directs gas from the inlet chamber against the water surfacein the sump. Water, nozzle-sprayed into the incoming gas both wets thetube inner surface and collects on the plate to seep between the plateand (a) tube ends, (b)

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures [451 Oct. 23, 1973 United States PatentBelt 4 W 2 v 5 o x n t "I QO'QU Q 0 0 O O O 0 O 0 O OOOGOOQ SHEET 1 or 2PAIENIEII m 23 an FIG! INVENTOR T L M PM 913 Y (E .W N w m T T m A my 4V exhaust gas streams of industrial processes or equipment, or airdischarged by ventillating systems from the locations where dustgenerating operationsor the like are carried out. I

Another object is to provide an apparatus for gas scrubbing purposeswhich is relatively inexpensive both in initial fabrication and as wellin servicing and maintenance. I

The invention will be hereinafter described through a particularembodiment in terms of removal of dust from air, and of water as acollecting or scrubbing liquid, but it is' to be understood that theinvention is not so restricted in utility or application, as varioussolid particles, fibrous bits, liquid droplets, even some condensiblevapors, soluble gases, or smokes, therefore material ofcolloidal'dimensions, may'be removed depending on the nature of thematerials involved and selection of collecting liquid.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionand the drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a generally vertical section through one form of apparatus inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken as indicated by the line 2-2 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, of a tube support region; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary baffle detail.

The apparatus in which the invention is here embodied comprises agenerally upright cylindrically shaped vessel in which the cylindricalbody has ends closed by the top 11 and conical bottom 12; and ahorizontal bulkhead plate 13 dividing the body into upper andlower'chambers 1 4 and 15. The air stream to be treated or scrubbedenters at radial inlet .l 7 a nd the scrubbed air leaves through thevertical outlet duct 18 located eccentrically of the body vertical axisdiametrically away from the inlet. The air is, of course moved by apressure differential established between the inlet 17 and outlet 18 byconventional means not shown, such as a pump or blower eitherdischarging to inlet 17 or drawing air from outlet 18. In the drawingsgas flow is indicated by solid line arrows, water flow paths by dottedline arrows. r

To mix a spray of particle-capturing water droplets into the incomingair, spraying meansdisposed in the top chamber 14 comprises one or morewater spray heads 19 supplied by water under pressure, either from ageneral water source or reclaimed from the dust laden water produced byoperation of the apparatus.

A set of numerous like end-flanged tubes 20 are passed through andeither loosely hung or secured in apertures in plate 13 in a locationpattern -(see also FIG. 2) presenting staggered tube rows as viewed in adirection from inlet 17 to outletduct l8;-the bottom ends of tubes20-being spaced somewhat above the'hormal static surface L of body ofwater 8 retained in the vessel bottom region as a sump. This level isestablished at or slightlyabove the height of the vessel by-pass oroverflow outlet fitting 22 for overflow discharge shown in FIG. 4 atma-and through the by-pass line 23 to drain line 28, which is connectedto the sump bottom discharge opening 26 at the cone apex by a sumpbottom discharge flow control valve 27. I

By regulation of the water supplied at spray head means 19 relative tothe amount discharged from the sump bottom to drain line 28, theoperating water level range is kept, below tubes 20 as observed by sightglass 25 connected to the vessel body. A moderate excess .water supplyis accommodated by overflow through the bypassing overflow outlet 22,thus simplifying regulation.

The tubes 20 by their respective end flanges are supported loosely orsecured, preferably releasably, on plate 13 with their top inlet ends ata common level, therefore a water overflow level, for accumulating sprayin a layer of water W above plate l3. This water layer on reaching thetops of the tubes overflows the tube end circumferences to washdownwardly to the sump along with some gas-entrained spray dropletsgathered on the pipe interiors as a wetting film Wi and determines alsoa liquid head for similar flow of water passing under the tube endflanges and then between tubes and respective plate apertures to washdown over the tube exteriors as a film Wx as permitted by the loose fit.

As shown in FIG. 3, for each tube the top end flange may take the formof a short collar 20c secured thereon, with the collar bottom edgeproviding the flange or support shoulder preferably having a pluralityof spaced edge notches 20d to ensure even flow distribution'to the outertube wall; or the tube end may be flared outwardly and back down with orwithout slitting into tabs or lugs; or other apt forms. For example,rather than having a collar 20c, each tube top end may be formed withshort shallow longitudinal outward, or inward and outward, ribs toengage the aperture edge for support while providing access for waterflow to the gap between the aperture edgeand tube.

Especially advantageous is the use of metal or other strips twistedaboutthe longitudinal axes and inserted centrally as centrifugal baffles in,but supported spaced from thedes cending fllmcarrying walls of, tubes20'as a similar twistl baffle may used in duct 18. v

The duct 18 preferably to welding where it passes through top 11, has aremovable gas tight securement through a circumferential flange 18fclamped at several locations, as at 18s by nuts on studs, to sealagainst top 11 through gasket 18g. Duct 18 is slipped through a wateroverflow collar 130 about the edge of the corresponding aperture ofplate 13 below which the dependent duct portion, serving as a mistabating duct gas intake chest, has'its cylindrical wall 18a and its endwall 18b provided with a large number of equi-spaced perforations orscreened openings through, which the gas stream flows from the bottomchamber to the top outlet of 18. Preferably the clearance between 18 andplate aperture collar is such as to allow ready insertion and removal of18, and descent of a water filmwashing the exterior of 18a, butpreventing appreciable by-pass of gas from chamber 14 to duct 18. Thisremovable are not sufficient or convenient for the purpose, a centralaccess opening intop 11 is provided through which the tubes 20 may beeasily removed and rehung for service cleaning, repair or replacement,since, with or without releasable securement, they are merely slipfitted into plate 13.

The circumference of plate 13 aptly may be secured to the body 10, andalso the duct 18 may be secured to the edge of the aperture of plate 13(where the disclosed preferred removable mount is not used for duct 18),by short spaced weld beads rather than sealing welds. This leaves slightgaps by which water may flow from layer W on plate 13 to wash down thewalls'of 18a and of body within the bottom chamber; while yetmaintaining a seal against any objectionable degree of gas by-pass fromthe upper to lower chambers, and also a tube overflowing layer of wateron the tray or plate partition 13.

With this arrangement dirty air entering the top chamber encounters andmixes with the supply water spray droplets as a first occasion ofparticle capture, the droplets partly settling or draining from thevessel walls into the tray afforded by plate 13, and partly descendingwith the gas flow through the tubes 20. Both any entrained spraydroplets and any yet free dust particles are further captured incontacting the downwardly flowing water film on the insides ofrespective tubes; in being directed down against the sump water surface;also, since the major part of the flow space to the scrubbed air outletincludes the space between tubes 20, in encountering the downwardlyflowing water film on the tube exteriors; and finally in encountering,and passing through the holes of the gas intake chest portion of 18, toreach the air outlet. Longitudinal twist baffles in duct 18 and tubes 20advantageously impart a rotation component to the flowing gas streamproducing on the particles or droplets entrained therein a centrifugalseparation action toward the surrounding walls.

The particles contained in the water descending from the upper chamberthrough and on the tubes 20and also in that gathering and descending on18, and on the interior wall surfaces of the lower chamber 15, as wellas those captured by direct impingement on the retained water surface atL, thus are carried into the body of retained water in the sump.Particles, which have settled more or less rapidly to the conicallysloped bottom to reach outlet 26, are carried out to drain line 28 withdischarge water containing yet suspended particles, and possibly watersoluble substances originally contained in the dirty air.

Baffling also may be provided in the chamber 14 for the air enteringfrom inlet 17 to increase turbulence and hence mixing with the spraythroughout the chamber. Also baffling may be associated withor disposedinside the outlet duct gas intake chest to improve its mist eliminatingcapability if required under particular conditions, such as thepreviously described twist baffling. Or for like purpose, the aperturesof the latter may be formed by inwardly indenting and shearing toprovide louvered formations at each aperture, in 18.

Large particle capturing liquid film exposure area is compactlyprovided; for example, in a vessel as shown about 68 inches high with a38-inch diameter bulkhead suspending tubes, each say 21 inches long,with 2- 6 inch ID. and 2% O.D., there is provided per tube with a l-inchtop projection, about 0.9 2 and 1.09 square feet of interior andexterior wetted surface, or 2.01 square feet per tube, and thus a totalof approximately 141 square feet of film wetted surface for the tubesalone.

Normally the preferred and most advantageous operation involvescontinual withdrawal of liquid from the bottom outlet 26, at a rateabout equal to'but somewhat less than the spray supply rate, so thatwith the excess being by-passed through 22-23, the level L isestablished by location of 22. But also, where the volume of solids inthe gas is relatively small, or where only a small part of the dirtcontent represents settleable particles or solids, it may be desirableunder the particular conditions of the installation to take thecontinual liquid withdrawal through 22-23, the latter beingcorrespondingly sized; with only periodic or as-required withdrawal of asludge of liquid and settled particles from the bottom.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for separating gas-borne substances from a stream of gas byscrubbing with a liquid, comprising:

a vessel closed at the top, and at the bottom closed by a bottom wallstructure downwardly convergent to a bottom outlet of the vessel,

a transverse plate partition dividing the vessel into an upper chamberand a lower chamber,

a lateral gas stream inlet into the said upper chamber, scrubbing liquidspray head means disposed in said upper chamber adapted to spray saidliquid supplied thereto under pressure as particle-gathering dropletsinto gas entering from said inlet into the upper chamber as a mixingchamber, wherein said droplets descend to gather in part as a liquidlayer on said partition,

an outlet duct, opening through the vessel, and having a gas intakechest disposed in the upper region of said lower chamber and havingchest wall portions provided with numerous gas passage apertures,

said chest occupying only a minor part of thehorizontal extent of theupper region,

an externally discharging overflow liquid by-pass outlet opening fromthe lower chamber of the vessel at a region where a normal level is tobe established for a retained body of said liquid in the bottom regionof the lower chamber as a sump,

a numerous plurality of tubes extending through respective apertures in,and dependent from, said plate partition and having a loose fit in theirrespective apertures, to define spaces between the .tubes and apertures,said tubes having top ends spaced above said partition whereby saidliquid sprayed into said mixing chamber may pass into said tubes and maypass, from said layer gathered on said plate, between said tubes andrespective said apertures to form particle and droplet gathering liquidfilms descending on the interior and exterior tube surfaces to drop tosaid retained body,

said tubes directing gas from said upper chamber downwardly against thesurface of saidretained liquid body for impingement capture of particlesand droplets, f

said tubes being in mutually spaced relation as a set occupying theremaining part of said horizontal extent of the upper region of thelower chamber,

whereby gas leaving the bottom tube ends to reach said chest in greatpart is constrained-to flow between and past said tubes exposing theexterior wetted tube surfaces to particle capture.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said bottom outlet isprovided with a withdrawal flow control valve to a drain line; and saidoverflow outlet is connected to said drain line below the valve.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of said tubes isloosely supported on said plate partition bya-respective tube top endflange providing a plate-engaging shoulder spaced down: wardly from thetube end.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said tubes are providedwith respective longitudinal twist baffles.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, said outlet duct gasintake chest comprises a portion of a vertical conduit extending from alower end of the chest portion through said partition and the vessel topas an exteriorly opening gas outlet.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein:

said vessel comprises a vertical cylindrical body, an

inverted conical bottom as the bottom wall structure with an outlet atthe coneapex for withdrawal of settled particulate matter from thevessel; and

said conduit is provided by a cylindrical'duct with a bottom end walland cylindrical wall below said plate partition apertured to form thesaid outlet duct gas intake chest.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein said vertical conduit isremovably mounted in said vessel dependent through aligned respectiveapertures in a vessel top closing wall and said partition, by meanssealingly securing the top portion of the conduit to said top wall, andincluding means forming a liquid overflow dam about the aperture aroundsaid conduit through said partition.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein said dam provides acircumferential clearance with said conduit permitting seepage of liquidfrom said layer to form a liquid film descending on said conthe heightof a collar as a dam about the plate aperture for said conduit. 10.Apparatus for separating gas-borne substances from a stream of gas byscrubbing with a liquid, comprising:

wall structure and dividing the vessel into an upper chamber and a lowerchamber,

a gas stream inlet into the said upper chamber,

scrubbingliquid spray head means disposed in said upper chamber adaptedto spraysaid liquid supplied thereto under pressure asparticle-gathering droplets into gas entering from said inlet into theupper chamber as a mixing chamber, wherein said droplets descend, togather in part. as a liquid layer wetting said partition,

an outlet duct openingthrough the vessel and having a gas intakechestdisposed in the upper region of said lower chamber and having chest wallportions provided with numerous gas passage apertures,

said chest occupying only a minor part of the said horizontal extent ofthe lower chamber,

externally discharging overflow liquid outlet means opening from thelower chamber of the vessel for establishing a normal level for aretained body of said liquid in the bottom region of the lower chamberas a sump,

a numerous plurality of tubes extending through respective'apertures in,and dependent from, said plate partition and having a loose fit in theirrespective apertures, I

to define spaces between the tubes and aperture edges, said tubes havingtop ends spaced above said partition, whereby said liquid sprayed intosaid mixing chamber may pass into said tubes and may pass, from saidlayer gathered on said plate, between said tubes and edges of respectivesaid apertures to form particle and droplet gathering liquid filmsdescending on the interior and exterior tube surfaces to drop to saidretained body, said tubes directing gas from said upper chamberdownwardly against the surface of said retained liquid body forimpingement-capture of particles and droplets,

said tubes beingin-inutually spaced relation as a set occupyingsubstantially the remaining part of said horizontal extent of the upperregion of the lower 7 chamber,

' wherebylgas leaving the bottom tube ends to reach said chest'in greatpart is constrained to flow between and past said tubes exposing theexterior wetted tube surfaces to particle capture.

' s a: 1; t I! g

1. Apparatus for separating gas-borne substances from a stream of gas by scrubbing with a liquid, comprising: a vessel closed at the top, and at the bottom closed by a bottom wall structure downwardly convergent to a bottom outlet of the vessel, a transverse plate partition dividing the vessel into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a lateral gas stream inlet into the said upper chamber, scrubbing liquid spray head means disposed in said upper chamber adapted to spray said liquid supplied thereto under pressure as particle-gathering droplets into gas entering from said inlet into the upper chamber as a mixing chamber, wherein said droplets descend to gather in part as a liquid layer on said partition, an outlet duct, opening through the vessel, and having a gas intake chest disposed in the upper region of said lower chamber and having chest wall portions provided with numerous gas passage apertures, said chest occupying only a minor part of the horizontal extent of the upper region, an externally discharging overflow liquid by-pass outlet opening from the lower chamber of the vessel at a region where a normal level is to be established for a retained body of said liquid in the bottom region of the lower chamber as a sump, a numerous plurality of tubes extending through respective apertures in, and dependent from, said plate partition and having a loose fit in their respective apertures, to define spaces between the tubes and apertures, said tubes having top ends spaced above said partition whereby said liquid sprayed into said mixing chamber may pass into said tubes and may pass, from said layer gathered on said plate, between said tubes and respective said apertures to form particle and droplet gathering liquid films descending on the interior and exterior tube surfaces to drop to said retained body, said tubes directing gas from said upper chamber downwardly against the surface of said retained liquid body for impingement capture of particles and droplets, said tubes being in mutually spaced relation as a set occupying the remaining part of said horizontal extent of the upper region of the lower chamber, whereby gas leaving the bottom tube ends to reach said chest in great part is constrained to flow between and past said tubes exposing the exterior wetted tube surfaces to particle capture.
 2. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said bottom outlet is provided with a withdrawal flow control valve to a drain line; and said overflow outlet is connected to said drain line below the valve.
 3. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of said tubes is loosely supported on said plate partition by a respective tube top end flange providing a plate-engaging shoulder spaced downwardly from the tube end.
 4. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said tubes are provided with respective longitudinal twist baffles.
 5. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, Said outlet duct gas intake chest comprises a portion of a vertical conduit extending from a lower end of the chest portion through said partition and the vessel top as an exteriorly opening gas outlet.
 6. Apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein: said vessel comprises a vertical cylindrical body, an inverted conical bottom as the bottom wall structure with an outlet at the cone apex for withdrawal of settled particulate matter from the vessel; and said conduit is provided by a cylindrical duct with a bottom end wall and cylindrical wall below said plate partition apertured to form the said outlet duct gas intake chest.
 7. Apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein said vertical conduit is removably mounted in said vessel dependent through aligned respective apertures in a vessel top closing wall and said partition, by means sealingly securing the top portion of the conduit to said top wall, and including means forming a liquid overflow dam about the aperture around said conduit through said partition.
 8. Apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein said dam provides a circumferential clearance with said conduit permitting seepage of liquid from said layer to form a liquid film descending on said conduit into said lower chamber and substantially sealing the conduit against gas by-pass from the upper chamber and lower chamber.
 9. Apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein the upper ends of said tubes project equally above said plate partition, to a height corresponding to the height of a collar as a dam about the plate aperture for said conduit.
 10. Apparatus for separating gas-borne substances from a stream of gas by scrubbing with a liquid, comprising: a vessel closed at the top, and at the bottom closed by a bottom wall structure downwardly convergent to a bottom outlet of the vessel, a transverse plate partition spaced above said bottom wall structure and dividing the vessel into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a gas stream inlet into the said upper chamber, scrubbing liquid spray head means disposed in said upper chamber adapted to spray said liquid supplied thereto under pressure as particle-gathering droplets into gas entering from said inlet into the upper chamber as a mixing chamber, wherein said droplets descend, to gather in part as a liquid layer wetting said partition, an outlet duct opening through the vessel and having a gas intake chest disposed in the upper region of said lower chamber and having chest wall portions provided with numerous gas passage apertures, said chest occupying only a minor part of the said horizontal extent of the lower chamber, externally discharging overflow liquid outlet means opening from the lower chamber of the vessel for establishing a normal level for a retained body of said liquid in the bottom region of the lower chamber as a sump, a numerous plurality of tubes extending through respective apertures in, and dependent from, said plate partition and having a loose fit in their respective apertures, to define spaces between the tubes and aperture edges, said tubes having top ends spaced above said partition, whereby said liquid sprayed into said mixing chamber may pass into said tubes and may pass, from said layer gathered on said plate, between said tubes and edges of respective said apertures to form particle and droplet gathering liquid films descending on the interior and exterior tube surfaces to drop to said retained body, said tubes directing gas from said upper chamber downwardly against the surface of said retained liquid body for impingement-capture of particles and droplets, said tubes being in mutually spaced relation as a set occupying substantially the remaining part of said horizontal extent of the upper region of the lower chamber, whereby gas leaving the bottom tube ends to reach said chest in great part is constrained to flow between and past said tubes exposing the exterior wetted tube surfaces to Particle capture. 